Curry-comb



(No Model.)

T. S. SHERMAN.

GURRY'GOMB.

Patented Oct. 28, 1890.

. IH IH,

INVENTUR WITNESSES Maw UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORE S. SHERMAN, OF CASTLETON, VERMONT.

CURRY-COMB.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,435, dated October 28, 1896.

Application filed March 10, 1890. Serial No. 343,313. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THEODORE S. SHERMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Castleton, county of Rutland, and State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Curry-Combs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to such improvements; and it consists of the novel construction and combination of parts, hereinafter described and subsequently claimed.

Reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, and the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Similar letters refer to similar parts in the several figures therein.

Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved curry-comb. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section, taken on the broken line 3 3 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one of the tubular bellmouthed teeth detached. Fig. 5 is a vertical central section of the same. Figs. 4. and 5 are drawn upon an enlarged scale.

A is the face plat-e or leaf which supports the teeth, and A the back plate which serves to ornament the back of the face-plate and re-enforce it.

A is the operatingdiandle, secured to the back of the comb.

The plates are preferably made of some flexible materialas leather-secured together by a line of stitching a, Which stitching may be made to include the ends of the handle, also preferably made of a leather strap. Before the plat-es are secured together numerous small apertures, each adapt-ed to receive and fit the tubular shank B of one of the bellshaped teeth, are formed in the face-plate. The teeth are then secured to the faceplate-- one in each of such apertures-by means of the tubular shanks,which are inserted through the apertures in the plate and crushed down or riveted upon the back side of the plate by any known method heretofore employed in setting tubular rivets, the inserted end edges of the shank being retroverted upon the back of the plate, as shown in Fig. 3 and at B in Fig. 2, where the edge of the covering-plate A is turned back to show the same.

As will be seen in Figs. 3 and 5, the tubular teeth terminate at their outer or projecting ends in a bell-shaped 1nouthl3,within which is formed an air-chamber B This chamber extends through the tubular shank to the back plate, and when the comb rests upon its face in the position shown in Fig. 2, the airspaces so formed are wholly inclosed on every side, forming an ainchamber in which there are no drafts or currents.

I have ascertained byexperiment that when the face of the comb is passed quickly back and forth upon a dusty rug or garment or hair of a horse, in the same way that a dust ing-brush would be used, the dust is deposited upon the inner surface of the teeth within the air-chambers, to which it adheres. In practical use the dust may be removed from time to time by striking the face of the comb upon some flat surface.

My improved device is well adapted to brush and clean fabrics as 'well as to comb and clean the hair of animals. The sharp edges surrounding the mouths of the teeth serve to scrape off or break up and loosen any frozen substances deposited upon the object to be cleaned, while the inclosed still-air chambers catch and retain such dust and finely-broken particles as, having an attraction for objects with which they come in contact exceeding the attraction of gravitation, will not fall from the object being cleaned.

My improved device has the functions of a curry-comb as heretofore constructed and a brush combined.

I do not wish to be limited to any exact form for the teeth, the essential features being the inclosed air'chamber or dust-receptacle, and the sharp peripheral scraping-edges surrounding such chamber.

WVhen desired, the handle A may be dispensed with and the device held. by grasping the plates in the hand. The back plate A may also be dispensed with when desired.

I am aware that it is not new to insert a series of tacks or pointed teeth in a plate with the points projecting from one side of the plate and the heads covered by a backingplate on the opposite side, nor to secure a series of fiat disks upon the surface of gloves or mittens by central rivets, and I do not claim any such form of construction.

I am aware that flexible rubber tubes have been employed in scrubbing-brushes, and that said tubes Were secured in apertures which were enlarged at one end, so that the tubes could be held therein by a cover applied over them. Such tubes are not suitable for currying, nor do I make any claim thereto.

\Vhat I'claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A curry-comb or brush consisting of a leaf or plate and series of tubular rigid bellmouthed teeth, secured by their flared shanks to such plate and having their mouth ends projecting from one side of such plate, substantially as described.

2. In a curry-comb or brush, the combina- I 5 tion, with a flexible plate, of a series of rigid teeth secured thereon, each tooth being provided with an air-chamber open on its face end and surrounded by a sharp edge, and abackingplate secured to the back of the teeth-sup- 2o porting plate, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of March, 1890.

THEODORE S. SHERMAN.

lVitnesses:

EGBERT H. ARMSTRONG, HARRY F. REED. 

